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Have you ever opened a web page like say, a wordpress blog or some other educational site and waited painfully as it loaded? Meanwhile your 30 or 40 students grow more impatient with each passing second? They start talking off-topic and you wish the page would load already.

Well then, this may be just what you are looking for. Today Google released their own web browser. It is lightning fast and can handle multiple tabs simultaneously without slowing down. You can download the browser here. Also, here’s a blog post from Computer World if you are interested in learning why it’s faster. 

(Brandy, this post is for you.)

A few weeks ago a received a Flip Mino video camcorder. It is a marvel of technology. It’s the size of a phone and takes decent video. It is a fantastic classroom tool. Students and teachers can use it to easily capture marvelous moments or powerful projects. Just press the power button, press record and away you go!

I used the Flip to capture the therapeutic water display in my office. The rhythmic sound of rain dripping from the ceiling to the rubbish receptacles on the floor and table has a way of easing tension that I find comforting.

Once you’ve captured your video. A little USB flips out and can be plugged directly into your computer. Then drag the video from the Flip to your desktop. Because of special codecs on the video, not everyone can see the video. So before publishing or sharing the video, be sure to convert it from “.avi” to “.mp4.” There are lots of free software available that you can do this with. I’ve had success using  “Jodix Free iPod Video Converter.” Export your video at the size of 320 X 240.

A few weeks ago a received a Flip Mino video camcorder. It is a marvel of technology. It’s the size of a phone and takes decent video. It is a fantastic classroom tool. Students and teachers can use it to easily capture marvelous moments or powerful projects. Just press the power button, press record and away you go!

I used the Flip to capture the therapeutic water display in my office. The rhythmic sound of rain dripping from the ceiling to the rubbish receptacles on the floor and table has a way of easing tension that I find comforting.

Once you’ve captured your video. A little USB flips out and can be plugged directly into your computer. Then drag the video from the Flip to your desktop. Because of special codecs on the video, not everyone can see the video. So before publishing or sharing the video, be sure to convert it from “.avi” to “.mp4.” There are lots of free software available that you can do this with. I’ve had success using  “Jodix Free iPod Video Converter.” Export your video at the size of 320 X 240.

Here’s a clear list of the steps needed to create and publish an audio podcast using a PC.

~Thank you to Ivan.

FREE TEACHER TRAINING WORKSHOP
FOR 4-12 GRADE TEACHERS

Saturday, September 6 – Aurora, Colorado

Teacher training workshops are for first-time or novice SMG teachers. Workshop includes interactive curriculum lessons, stock market basics, handouts, and hands-on computer lab sessions. Teachers learn how to access the SMG’s Teacher Support Center of online curricula, lesson planning, tutorials, and assessments; how to access and manage student portfolios.

This workshop is great for teachers who are highly interested in the SMG but not certain about enrolling.

Teachers will also receive SMG’s correlation to Colorado Performance-Based Standards in 4 core academic subjects: Economics, English Language Arts, Mathematics and Social Studies.

Interdisciplinary benefits of teaching the SMG:

All participants at SMG workshops receive resource materials and information on InvestWrite, the language arts component of the SMG program – an essay competition in which students and teachers can win laptop computers and trips!

Date: Saturday, September 6 (register by 8/29)

Time: 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Location: Aurora Public Schools Computer Center, 15701 E. 1st Avenue #110

Fee: FREE

Faculty: Dennis Grogan, CCEE Program Director; Erica Fukuhara, CCEE Stock Market Game Coordinator; and Nichole Davis, Consultant

Includes: curriculum and breakfast

Register Online or to register by phone please call 303.752.2323 or 888.815.2974

If this workshop is not offered in your area, FREE SMG Webinar Teacher Training will also be offered for the Fall 2008. Please contact CCEE at smg@ccee.net, 303-832-4764, or 888-815-2974 toll-free for more information.